The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-19


her own life valuable. 1t was strange to
see so much heroism in a form so gentle
and so frail; il was strange that thi.
beautiful spirit of self-sacriice should
prove poweriess to curb the wrathful
spirit that possessed the proud man be-
fore whom she pleaded; but his answer
was relentless.
"Now he replied THAT which ]
have said is immutable. If this man
comes so near my house as the next
| town, he shall answer for the presump-
tion with his life, er / will sacrifice
minep'
Myra stood for moment looking in
that frawning face, and as she gazed her
own became painfully calm.
"My father, once again-once again
reflect, it is more than life that | otter
you for thisi' she said, and her voic.
grew softer, as If tears were swelling in
Its tones once more.
That which | have said, abide by y
was the stern reply.
Myra pleaded no longer, but turned
gently and left the room. In the upper
hall she met her mother.
Does he Ielent-will he accept the
sacrifice of your offer7" questioned the
anxious lady.
No, mother, he refuses; he seems
athirst for the life of this noble youn.
man; but | will save him, / will saw,
them both"
How, my child? how can you, s,
frail and helpless, struggle against tn,
strong will of your father? %
81 will leave the house. | will n,
longer remain where innocent aud
honorable love leads to scenes like
this"
What, leave your mother-your OVID
fond, too fond mother? Myra, my child,
my child!"
Hush! mother; dear, dear mother;
these tears, they make me weak as al
| infant. If you weep and cling to me
thus, mother, my strength may fall
and do you not know that death MAY
follow-death to your husband or t.
mine, for is he not my husband before
God, do YOU think, sweet mother?"
But Mrs. ID. only wept, and clung
more fOn6ly to her daughter. Myr.
withdrew herself gently from her warn
clasp, and went away. On the morrow
Mr.. Whitney would be in Wilmington,
and before then the young girl hao
much to accomplish much to suffer.
All IHdl udy VI NId dNOlucu Tue idull-
ly, above all the gentle mother, whose
tears she feared far more than the an
ger of her proud father. She had form
ed resolution that required al he
courage, and more strength than seemed
to animate that slender form. She
shrunk, therefore, from encountering
the tears of that sweet and loving wo-
man.
There was an old servant in the fam
lily, with whom Myrs, from her child
hood, had been sort of idol. Indeed,
in all that large household, there was
not dependent who did not reverence
and love the young creature.
This man, early in the afternoon
might have been seen riding toward
Wilmington at brisk trot, and with
some little anxiety in his manner.
When he reached the town, the old
man entered dwelling, where he wa
received by two bright and joyous-look
ing young ladies, who greeted MIN ca
gerIy, and inquired for news of hi,
young mistress, while the old negro was
searching in his pockets for hastil,
folded billet, which he at length pro-
duced with no little mysterious impor-
tance.
One of the young ladies tore open the
billet, and began to read.
"Sit up for me tonight, dear girls"
thus the billet commenced; "sit up till
morning, unless | come before; you will
certainly see me during the night; then
| will explain this hasty message. 1t
may storm; no matter, shall surely be
with you. MYRA."
The young ladies looked at each other.
wholly at loss to guess the reason of
this singular message; but Myra had
promised to explain all, and so they al
lowed the old man to depart unques-
toned.
Long before the faithful messenger
returned, Myra wasstanding in the hum
BILE dwelling of an outdoor dependent,
in whom she could trust.
"And you are determined, Miss Ny
rap was the mans question, as he
stood, hat in hand, by the door.
Yes; obey my directions exactly as
they are given, that is all / require of
YOU"
I'VE would do anything-anything on
earth for you" said the wife of this
man, coming forward; "you know we
would, Miss Myra, even though it may
be our ruin should your father know
that we aided you against his willr'
But he can never know; nothing
shall tempt me to inform him, and the
secret will rest with us alone," was the
reply.
''We will be punctual, never fear"
said the man; "but it looks like
storm"
well" said Myrs, casting her eyes
toward the heavens, which did indeed
bear indications of mastering tempest
at does not matter, be ready all the
same. Remember to come by the o d
carriage route, not along the new road,
you might meet company there"
81 will be cautious, dear young la
dy; will be cautious as you coulc
wish"
II am sure of it" was the mild and
grateful reply; and with a beating
heart, Myra went back to the house
which was soon to he her home no
longer.
The relative whom we have mention
ed, was still at ID. place, and his wife,
with two beautiful children. occupied
a room near that appropriated to Myra,
aud to this room the young girl betoOk
herself, after returning from the visit to
her humble friends.
A spirit of unrest was upon her; she
longed for action, for sympathy, for
sp'de being to whom she could pour
forth the anguish which beat like
fever in every vein of her delicate
body.
Myra found her fathers guest in an
easy chair near the window. She was a
quiet, tranquil woman, devoid of strong
passions, but selfish in the extreme, and
possessing sort of gentle craft, that
from lis very want of active spirit, was
calculated to deceive.
She knew that discomfort and dis
union were active in the dwelling,
and after her usual inert manner, was
waiting for some result that might
prove beneficial to herself and her chill
dren.
When she saw Myra enter her room
with glow upon her cheeks. but pale
as death about the mouth and temples,
this woman drooped her eyelids, to con-
ceal all expression of the Joy this agita-
ton caused in her bosom, but her look
was tranquil, her voice was full of SYM
pathy, as she addressed the young
girl.
lou iook duAious, nay III, my sweet
friend" she said. taking Myra's hand,
which fell over the back of her chair
"You know" answered Myra, in a
sad voice, "you know what has passed
to-day in this house; tell me-for much
depends on your answer, and | can hold
counsel with no one else beneath this
roof-telI me. do you believe that if hr.
Whitney should arrive in Wilmington
to morrow, my father would find him
ont aad mt his cruel threat into xecu-